Appointment of Jutta Urpilainen as European Commissioner for International Partnerships

Summary:

Reports, analyses and information on the appointment of Finland's Jutta Urpilainen as European Commissioner for International Partnerships, in the European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen.

Further information:

Jutta Urpilainen served as a member of Finland's Parliament and also as the country's finance minister for the period 2011-2014. Media sources reported that Finland would be receptive to a portfolio relating to external relations and development. Ms Urpilainen was formally announced on 9 September 2019 by the President of the European Commission. Her portfolio was known on the following day, set to take on the role as the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

The relevant committees of the European Parliament held a hearing with Ms Urpilainen on 1 October, in order to assess her capabilities to lead the portfolio. The candidate was questioned on matters relating to future development cooperation and respect of EU values.

Commentary and Analysis

Wikipedia: Jutta Urpilainen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jutta_Urpilainen

EPRS: Briefing, September 2019: Hearings of the Commissioners-designate: Jutta Urpilainen - International Partnerships https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2019)642204

EUObserver, 01/10/2019: Tough questions for new EU 'development' commissioner https://euobserver.com/opinion/146119

EPRS: Briefing, October 2019: Commitments made at the hearing of Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner-designate - International Partnerships https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EXPO_BRI(2019)639309

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News

YLE News, 10/09/2019: Finnish ex-finance minister nominated for new EU commissioner post https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/finnish_ex-finance_minister_nominated_for_new_eu_commissioner_post/10964757

Helsinki Times, 11/09/2019: Finland’s Urpilainen named European commissioner for international partnerships https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/16735-finland-s-urpilainen-named-european-commissioner-for-international-partnerships.html

Helsinki Times, 12/09/2019: Urpilainen’s portfolio divides opinion among Finnish politicians https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/16739-urpilainen-s-portfolio-divides-opinion-among-finnish-politicians.html

Helsinki Times, 02/10/2019: Urpilainen grilled on immigration, development assistance by EU Parliament https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/16802-urpilainen-grilled-on-immigration-development-assistance-by-eu-parliament.html

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Official

European Commission: President-elect von der Leyen’s Mission Letter to Jutta Urpilainen https://ec.europa.eu/commission/files/jutta-urpilainens-mission-letter_en

European Parliament: Jutta Urpilainen’s replies to the European Parliament questionnaire https://www.europarl.europa.eu/resources/library/media/20190927RES62442/20190927RES62442.pdf

European Parliament: Public Hearing of Commissioner-designate Jutta Urpilainen, 1 October 2019 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/hearings2019/commission-hearings-2019/20190910STO60746/jutta-urpilainen-finland

European Parliament: Press Release, 01/10/2019: Hearing of Commissioner-designate Jutta Urpilainen https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190926IPR62231/

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